Injury worries ahead of Zimbabwe tour

Sri Lanka's selectors have some difficult decisions to make after injuries to Dilhara Fernando, Prabath Nissanka and Nuwan Zoysa left them short of fast bowlers to support Chaminda Vaas on next month's tour of Zimbabwe.

Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors, explained that much depended on Fernando recovering in time to be fit for the tour. Fernando missed the current series against Australia after suffering a stress fracture in his back soon at the end of last year. "We are sending him to New Zealand to join the A team for the one-day series to test his match fitness," said Kaluperuma. Sri Lanka A are due to play three one-day matches against New Zealand A on April 3, 5 and 7 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

Kaluperuma went on to confirm that Nissanka was out of the reckoning for the Zimbabwe tour. "He has suffered a hamstring injury and is out for at least three weeks. He underwent a successful knee operation in Australia, and was expected to return to competitive cricket when he suffered the hamstring injury."

Zoysa's fitness is also a continuing worry. He was forced to off the field in the middle of his fourth over of the current Test against Australia, suffering from a muscle injury to his left leg. He is expected to bowl in Australia's second innings - but going by his past record, his fitness has to remain in doubt.

Sri Lanka A's performance in New Zealand has highlighted the paucity of talent in depth. Only Ian Daniel, Bathiya Perera and Malinga Bandara have risen to the occasion in the two unofficial Tests, both of which ended in defeat for Sri Lanka.

There are fewer problems with the spinners - Upul Chandana, Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Rangana Herath are all fit and ready.

Another area of uncertainty, that of the captaincy, is expected to be resolved shortly after the end of the Colombo Test. Hashan Tillakaratne, who has led Sri Lanka for the past 11 months, will almost certainly be replaced by Marvan Atapattu. Mahela Jayawardene is expected to be named as Atapattu's deputy.

Sri Lanka are due to leave for Zimbabwe on April 17 and will play five one-day internationals and two Tests.